Single point means for slotter adjustment

Abstract

A single point adjusting means for a rotary slotter used to transform sheets into box blanks is constructed so that each head is constructed of two sections normally locked together by a spring clutch. Each section carries a slotter blade and one section is keyed directly to the main drive shaft. The other section is selectively operable by a pneumatic power means between a cutting position wherein the spring clutch is engaged and an adjusting position wherein it is locked to the machine frame at an angular indexing position. At this time rotation of the main shaft will move the head section keyed thereto while the other section remains fixed thereby adjusting the relative angular positions of the slotter blades. Blade changing is facilitated by providing spring clamp means and a pneumatic actuated means for releasing the blade clamp.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive privilege or property is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
       1. Box making apparatus including a rotationally fixed frame section, a rotationally mounted drive shaft, a first head section keyed to said shaft for rotation thereby, first blade means operatively mounted to said first head section for rotation therewith, a second head section, a second blade means operatively mounted to said second head section for rotation therewith, operating means including a selectively operable clutch for making and breaking a direct driving connection between said first and second head sections, with said driving connection made said second head section being operatively connected to said first head section in a cutting position for rotation therewith, with said connection broken said second head section being operatively connected to said frame section against rotation whereby the angular position of said first blade means may be adjusted relative to said second blade means by rotating said shaft to rotate said first head section. 
     
     
       2. Box making apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which the clutch is normally engaged to make said driving connection between said first and second head sections. 
     
     
       3. Box making apparatus as set forth in claim 2 in which the operating means includes a main spring means biasing said clutch to make said driving connection and fluid operated means to relax force exerted by said main spring means on said clutch to break said driving connection between said first and second head sections. 
     
     
       4. Box making apparatus as set forth in claim 3 in which there is an auxiliary spring means of much less strength than said main spring means to engage said clutch sufficiently for said drive shaft to rotate said second head section to an indexing position relative to said frame section when force exerted by said main spring means on said clutch is relaxed. 
     
     
       5. Box making apparatus as set forth in claim 1 also including another rotationally fixed frame section, a third head section keyed to said shaft for rotation thereby, said first and third sections being axially spaced along said shaft, third blade means operatively mounted to said third head section for rotation therewith, a fourth head section, a fourth blade means operatively mounted to said fourth head section for rotation therewith, another operating means including another selectively operable clutch for making and breaking another driving connection between said third and fourth head sections, with said another driving connection made, said fourth head section being operatively connected to said third head section in a cutting position for rotation therewith, with said another driving connection broken said fourth head section being operatively connected to said another frame section against rotation whereby the angular position of said third blade means may be adjusted relative to said fourth blade means by rotating said shaft to rotate said first and third head sections while said second and fourth head sections are both angularly fixed. 
     
     
       6. Box making apparatus as set forth in claim 4 also including holding means to maintain said second head section in said indexing position while said clutch slips to permit adjusting rotation of said main shaft and said first head section without rotating said second head section. 
     
     
       7. Box making apparatus as set forth in claim 6 in which the main spring means exerts a force biasing said second head section to clamp said first and second blade means between said first and second head sections when said second head section is in said running position. 
     
     
       8. Box making apparatus as set forth in claim 7 in which the auxiliary spring means normally exerts a force biasing said second head section to clamp said first and second blade means between said first and second head sections when force exerted by said main spring means on said second head section is relaxed. 
     
     
       9. Box making apparatus as set forth in claim 8 also including fluid operated means selectively operable against force exerted by said auxiliary spring means to unclamp said first and second blade means for removal thereof when said second head section is in said adjusting position. 
     
     
       10. Box making apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including biasing means normally urging said second head section toward said first head section to retain said first and second blade means in operative positions by clamping same between said head sections. 
     
     
       11. Box making apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which the frame section is axially adjustable with respect to said drive shaft. 
     
     
       12. Box making apparatus as set forth in claim 2 in which the clutch is a friction device. 
     
     
       13. Box making apparatus as set forth in claim 6 in which the holding means comprises cooperating pin-recess means axially movable into engagement by said fluid operated means and biased away from engagement by said main spring means. 
     
     
       14. Box making apparatus including a rotationally fixed frame section, a rotationally mounted drive shaft, a first head section keyed to said shaft for rotation thereby, first blade means operatively mounted to said first head section for rotation therewith, a second head section, a second blade means operatively mounted to said second head section for rotation therewith, means mounting said second head section for rotation relative to said first head section to adjust relative positions of said first and second blade means, first means normally exerting a force clamping said first and second blade means between said first and second head sections, and second means for selectively relaxing said force to permit angular adjustment of said first and second blade means relative to each other, one of said first and second means being spring operated and the other of said first and second means being fluid operated.